The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-30
POLITICAL MATTERS.
Conn mt of the New York Press on the De-
ocratic Platform


Comment of the New York Press on the Dem
ocratic Platform
NEW YORK, Sept. 29.-1n regard to the work
of yesterdays convention at Saratoga, the
Times says: IF there are any Democrats of the
Randall pattern in New York, they were not
present at the Saratoga convention; or, if they
were. they were silenced by the overwhelming
preponderance of genuine and distinct tariff
reform sentiment In the convention and in the
party it represents. The resolution relating to
the question of taxation is as strong and clear as
any that have been adopted by any convention
in the Union, and what is especially significant,
1t is in substance. and almost in words the de-
ciaration Of the President himself Coming from
Mr.. Cleveland's own State. and from the State
of ex-Secretary Manning and Secretary Fair
child. on the eve of a close contest, and after a
certain number of professsd Democratic jour
nails have undertaken to warn the Democrats
against any pronounced utterance. this resolu-
ton is Of extreme importance. On the issue of
the tariff it fixes the position of the Democracy
in the greatest States of the Union, which must
have much influence with the party throughout
the country, and especially it fixes definitely
the ground which the New York Democracy
will present Mr.. Cleveland's name to the ma
tional convention next year. 1t makes it clear
beyond any dispute that the tariff issue is not
to be evaded, and that the policy Of the Demo-
cratic party. so far as New York can decide it,
will be that is definite than any
avowed by it since 1876. The weakest po!as in
the Democratic platform is the resolution re-
garding civil-service reform AS advocates of
the reform, ask for nothing better than a
direct popular vote on it, confident as we are
that that vote would battle, if it did not silence
its opponents
The World says: ''The Endorsements of Pres-
ldent Cleveland and of Governor Hill are, upon
the whole, deserved, just and fair. The demand
for local selfgovernment for cities is timely and
right But the platform Is as noticeable for
what 1t does not say as for what it does 1t
does not meet the situation. Many things that
the people seriously thinking and talking
about, it ignores. The inequalities and abuses
that are driving voters out of the old parties it
does not consider. The interference of Office
holders in politics; the influence of the saloons
in party management, and their failure to pay
just share of the taxes they occasion: the growth
of monopolies; the perverson of the government
from its purposes By plutocratic bribers and cor
ruptionists--on these vital issues the platform,
like that of the Republicans. is silent. The
important thing for this convention to have
done was to stop the diversion of dissatisfied
voters to the Labor party, What has 1t done in
that direction2 The presence of federal Office
holders in the Democratic State convention is
much to be regretted. The active interference
of Office holders in conve ntion and nominations
is indirect dsobedence to the Presidents order
A number of federal officials have done the very
thing which their superior officer warned them
against and declared to be indecent and unfair
The President must see that he can not afford to
ignore this disregard Of his authority in his own
State"
The Sun says: 1.-THE most significant action
OF the convention was, through its coEcm ittee
resolutions, on the civil-servicereformp plank in
the platform. 1t self-evident from the
action of the committee and the convention that
the large majority of the delegates did not be-
Heve In Mr.. Cleveland's civl-service policy"
-